TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention refers to a system for a selective collection of floating materials.
In particular, the invention refers to a system for collecting plastic materials floating
in surface water, such as a river.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The problem of floating waste in surface water, such as plastic, cork, bottles, wood,
etc., is well known in the art. This waste material is transported by the water flow,
thereby damaging aquatic flora and fauna and in particular the corresponding ecosystem,
especially in rivers, coastal lakes or lagoons. In fact, floating waste tends to agglomerate
in masses of natural and anthropic material, thereby creating the so called floating
litter, the size of which can only be reduced when reaching the open sea due to the
action of chemical degradation carried out for example by the solar light or mechanical
degradation carried out for example by the wave movement.
[0003] Since the waste collection in open sea and in rivers is a complex operation due to
the large areas of interest and the employment of specific naval means, the actual
solutions (such as manual collection from the banks of a river or from small boats
in open sea) are not very effective. On the other hand, the employment of big naval
units equipped with more sophisticated collection means would strongly affect the
river or marine ecosystem due for example to the water and acoustic pollution.
[0004] For this reason, fixed barrier systems are also used to collect waste in surface
water. Anti-pollution barrier systems are known for collecting hydrocarbons made of
semi-submerged floating longitudinal elements extending about 40-50 cm above the surface
of the water and extending about 50-100 cm below the surface of the water.
[0005] Although barrier systems allow to intercept the floating waste and conduct it to
a collection area without excessively affecting the environmental ecosystem, these
systems do not allow a selection of the collected waste. Furthermore, if these barriers
are employed on a river bed, they could generate a dangerous "dam-effect" and a consequent
overflow of the banks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system that solves
the abovementioned problems, in particular, to provide a system for the selective
collection of floating material that is efficient, simple to use, not polluting and
with almost zero impact on the environmental ecosystem.
[0007] This object is achieved by the system according to the independent claims. Further
advantageous combinations and designs are given in the dependent claims therefrom.
[0008] The system for a selective collection of materials floating in surface water according
to the present invention comprises an intercepting barrier made up of at least one
longitudinal element for intercepting the materials floating and transported by the
water flow and conducting the materials to a predetermined direction. The system also
comprises a selecting barrier located downstream of the intercepting barrier and connected
to said intercepting barrier, for selecting floating materials based on their geometry.
In addition, the system comprises a collecting area located downstream of the selecting
barrier and connected to said selecting barrier for collecting the materials selected
by the selecting barrier.
[0009] In particular, the selecting barrier comprises a first longitudinal level staff,
a second longitudinal level staff located downstream the first longitudinal level
staff and two float members connecting the two level staffs. Advantageously, the height
of the first level staff relative to the surface water is lower than that of the second
level staff so that floating materials having a predetermined geometry are intercepted
by the first longitudinal staff and are conducted to the collecting area, whereas
the remaining floating materials go over the first longitudinal level staff and pass
below the second longitudinal level staff and are conducted downstream of the collecting
area.
[0010] This system is suitable to be employed for collecting floating (polluting) materials
in natural and artificial water such as rivers, coastal lakes or lagoons, channels
or open sea.
[0011] The different components of the system, i.e. the intercepting barrier, the selecting
barrier and the collecting area, are configured in such a way to intercept the materials
transported by the water flow and conducting the intercepted material to the selecting
barrier and then possibly to the collecting area. For this purpose, these components
are arranged in series and connected to each other by means of connecting joints.
In particular, not all the intercepted material is conducted to the collecting area.
In fact, the selecting barrier selects the floating material based on the geometry
of this material. Specifically, materials with a limited emerged surface, such as
twigs, sticks, canes, etc., are not conducted to the collecting area but are rather
conducted downstream said area. On the other hand, materials with a greater emerged
surface, such as plastic objects, bottles, etc., are conducted to the collecting area
due to the particular configuration of the two longitudinal level staffs of the selecting
barrier. The term "emerged surface" is intended here the surface of the object above
the surface of water.
[0012] Specifically, the two longitudinal level staffs are two longitudinal rods parallel
to each other and positioned at two different heights relative to the surface of the
water. In particular, the first longitudinal level staff is at about 1 cm from the
surface of the water and the second longitudinal staff is at about 25 cm from the
surface of the water.
[0013] Each longitudinal level staff has a length of about 4 m and a width of about 5 cm.
Also, the two level staffs are arranged almost parallel to each other at a constant
distance of about 1.3 m. In addition, each float member has a length of about 1.5
m.
[0014] Due to the particular configuration and functioning, the present system has the advantage
of not damaging the flora and/or fauna of the surrounding environment. In particular,
the system according to the present invention reduces the formation of micro-plastics
in open sea intervening for example upstream the river's mouth, before the micro-plastics
are subjected to degradation phenomena and cannot be mechanically collected any more.
In addition, the present system does not need external energy for the functioning
since it takes advantage of the water flow to carry out the selection of the floating
material.
[0015] In order to carry out an additional selection of the floating material, the system
further comprises a deflecting barrier located upstream of the intercepting barrier.
The deflecting barrier is made up of at least one longitudinal element submerged underneath
the surface of the water at a predetermined depth from said surface. This barrier
is configured for selecting floating or submerged materials based on their depth in
water relative to the surface of the water. In this way, the intercepting barrier
is configured to intercept the materials selected by the deflecting barrier.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the at least one longitudinal element of the deflecting
barrier has a length comprised between 5 m and 7 m and is ballasted to remain submerged
at a depth comprised between 7 cm and 10 cm from the surface of the water. In this
way, all the materials transported by the water flow having a submersion depth greater
than 7-10 cm will be blocked by the deflecting barrier and will be deflected to a
different direction and not intercepted by the intercepting barrier. This is the case
of heavy and cumbersome materials, such as woods. On the other hand, plastic materials
having a submersion depth lower than 7-10 cm are not blocked by the deflecting barrier
and pass through said barrier and are conducted to the intercepting barrier. The term
"submersion depth" is intended here as the deepest position of a floating material
below the surface of water during the transportation by the water flow. It is clear
that a material with a high density floats at a deepest distance from the surface
of the water, thereby having a greater submersion depth compared to a material with
a low density that floats very close to the surface of the water.
[0017] Advantageously, the deflecting barrier extends along a longitudinal direction forming
an angle α < 90°, preferably 10° < α < 80°, most preferably α = 45°, with the direction
of the water flow. In this way, the deflected materials can flow over the system without
accumulating at the deflecting barrier.
[0018] In order to ensure a good interception of the floating material, the deflecting barrier
extends along a longitudinal direction forming an angle 80° < β < 100°, preferably
of 90° with the longitudinal direction of the intercepting barrier. In this way, the
material that is not deflected by the deflecting barrier is definitely captured by
the intercepting barrier.
[0019] According to an embodiment, the deflecting barrier comprises a floating mechanism
for maintaining constant the depth of the deflecting barrier from the surface of the
water. In this way, even in the presence of an overflow or of high/low tide, the deflecting
barrier remains always in position.
[0020] The at least one longitudinal element of the deflecting barrier and/or the at least
one longitudinal element of the intercepting barrier can have a tubular form and can
be made of polymeric material. For example, the material can be polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyvinyl chloride, or the like.
[0021] In order to improve the capture of the floating materials, the deflecting barrier
is separated from the intercepting barrier and the distance between the deflecting
barrier and the intercepting barrier is two times the entire length of the intercepting
barrier. In particular, the closest distance (as the crow flies) between the deflecting
barrier and the intercepting barrier is two times the entire length of the intercepting
barrier.
[0022] The deflecting barrier can comprise a plurality of longitudinal elements connected
to each other by means of articulated joints. In this way, the deflecting barrier
is not a monolithic piece but can be made longer or shorter based on the circumstances.
Furthermore, the articulated joints allows the deflecting barrier to slightly adapt
in shape to the different water flows.
[0023] According to an embodiment, the at least one longitudinal element of the intercepting
barrier has a length comprised between 5 m and 7 m and has a tubular shape with a
diameter comprised between 150 mm and 170 mm.
[0024] In order to conduct the selected material to the collecting area, the first longitudinal
level staff of the selecting barrier comprises a conveyor belt driven by a blade system
located on the two float members. For its functioning, the blade system uses the force
of the water flow. Therefore, no electric motors or other type of mechanical motors
are required to actuate the conveyor belt.
[0025] In one embodiment, the collecting area comprises a plurality of tubular elements
each having a diameter comprised between 270 mm and 290 mm and a length comprised
between 5 m and 7 m. These elements are disposed to form a fenced area, where the
selected floating material is collected.
[0026] The collecting area is connected to the selecting barrier and the selecting barrier
is connected to the intercepting barrier by means of articulated joints. In addition,
the intercepting barrier can comprise a plurality of longitudinal elements connected
to each other by means of articulated joints. In this way, the single elements of
the system do not represent a monolithic pieces but can be made longer or shorter
based on the circumstances. Furthermore, the articulated joints allows the intercepting
barrier to slightly adapt in shape to the different water flows.
[0027] In order to avoid damages carried out by huge submerged or floating elements, the
system can further comprise at least a sacrificial joint. In this way, the joint can
be disengaged at any time to eventually free the system from said elements.
[0028] Preferred embodiments of a system for the selective collection of floating materials
in accordance with the invention will be explained herein below in greater detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029]
Fig. 1 illustrates the system according to an embodiment of the present invention
located close to the banks of a river.
Fig. 2 illustrates a detail of the intercepting barrier and the selecting barrier
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 illustrates a detail of the selecting barrier and the collecting area according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates the selecting barrier and the collecting area of figure 3 in a
top view.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Figure 1 describes a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In particular, the figure shows a top view of the system 1 positioned in a surface
water (W) close to the banks or at the coast (C) of a river. The system 1 comprises
an intercepting barrier 10 connected to a selecting barrier 20 and a collecting area
30 located with respect to the water flow F of the river in order to intercept, select
and eventually collect floating materials. The figure also shows the presence of a
deflecting barrier 40 located upstream the intercepting barrier 10 at a distance 2D
that is the double of the length D of the intercepting barrier 10. It is noted that
the distance 2D is calculated between the closest points between the deflecting barrier
40 and the intercepting barrier 10. The deflecting barrier 40 is submerged at about
7-10 cm below the surface of the water and positioned obliquely with respect to the
stream of the river. In particular, the longitudinal direction of the deflecting barrier
40 forms an angle α with the water flow F, wherein α is comprised between 40° and
45°.
[0031] The particular configuration of the deflecting barrier 40, i.e. the orientation of
this barrier relative to the water flow F and the submersion depth of the barrier
relative to the surface of the water, allows the barrier to deviate floating materials
having a submerged part of almost 7 cm or more towards the central region of the river
far way from the other components of the system 1 and particularly from the intercepting
barrier 10. On the other hand, the floating materials having a limited submersion
depth (i.e. lower than 7 cm) can cross the deflecting barrier 40 and reach the intercepting
barrier 10 to be conducted to the selecting barrier 20 for a selection and a possible
collection.
[0032] As mentioned above, the deflecting barrier 40 is not arranged orthogonally to the
water flow F, thereby forming an angle α with the flow F. In addition, the deflecting
barrier 40 is arranged to form an angle β with the longitudinal direction of the intercepting
barrier 10, wherein β is preferably 90°. This particular configuration allows the
system to intercept only floating material having a certain density and a small submersion
depth (light materials) and to deviate heavier materials with a greater submersion
depth towards a different direction far away from the system 1. As a matter of fact,
floating plastics, basically comprising bottles and packaging, have a limited submersion
depth of about 1-2 cm. Once the plastic material, together with other floating material
having a low density (a submersion depth lower than 7 cm), i.e. canes, aquatic vegetation,
woods, twigs, etc., reaches the intercepting barrier 10, it is conducted towards the
selecting barrier 20 and eventually to the collecting area 30. As shown in figure
1, the deflecting barrier 40 comprises a floating mechanism defined by two opposing
float members 44 for maintaining constant the depth of the deflecting barrier from
the surface of the water. In this way, even in the presence of an overflow or of high/low
tide, the deflecting barrier remains always in position.
[0033] Figure 2 shows a detail of the intercepting barrier 10 connected to the selecting
barrier 20. In particular, the intercepting barrier 10 comprises a plurality of longitudinal
elements 12 connected in series by means of joints to form and articulated barrier.
The selecting barrier 20 comprises a first level staff 22 and a second level staff
24 arranged parallel to each other and connected through two float members 26. It
is noted that the first level staff 22 represent a sort of prosecution of the intercepting
barrier 10, whereas the second level staff 24 is positioned behind the first level
staff 22 at a predetermined distance determined by the length of the float members
26.
[0034] Figure 3 shows a detail of the selecting barrier 20 connected to the collecting area
30. The selecting barrier 20 comprises two level staffs 22, 24 in the form of longitudinal
rods, preferably made of metal, for example of aluminum, that are arranged at different
heights relative to the surface of water. The first level staff 22 is arranged very
close to the surface of water and at a lower height compared to that of the second
level staff 24. It is noted that the height of the level staffs 22, 24 can be varied
and adjusted by means of the particular joint connections 25 of these level staff
22, 24 with the corresponding float members 26. The first level staff 22 is at 1 cm
from the surface of water, whereas the second level staff 24 at about 25 cm from the
surface of water. Furthermore, the joint connections 15 are at about 10 cm from the
surface of water and the float members 26 at about 6 cm from the surface of water.
[0035] On the first level staff 22 is mounted a conveyor belt 28 driven by a blade system
(not shown in the figure) using the water flow for its functioning. The conveyor belt
28 serves to conduct floating materials having a particular geometry (great emerged
surface) toward the collecting area 30. In fact, as shown in figure 3, the final extremity
of the first level staff 22 directly ends into the entrance 36 of the collecting area
30. On the other hand, materials having a limited emerged surface, such as for example
twigs or canes, cross and go beyond the first level staff 22, thereby reaching the
second level staff 24. Since the second level staff 24 is arranged at a higher level
relative to the surface of water compared to the first level staff 22, the floating
materials not intercepted by the conveyor belt 28 cross the region between the surface
of water and the second level staff 24 passing below said level staff 24, thereby
exiting the system 1 and being conducted downstream the collecting area 30. In other
words, the selecting barrier 20 serves to carry out a further selection of the floating
materials, once intercepted by the intercepting barrier 10. Figure 4 shows a detail
of the collecting area 30 connected to the selecting barrier 20. In particular, the
collecting area comprises at least four tubular elements 32 having a length of about
6 m and a diameter of about 280 mm. The tubular elements 32 are arranged to form a
closed structure with a single entrance 36 in order to contain the intercepted and
selected material. It is noted that the entrance 36 of the collecting area 30 is defined
by one of the float members 26 of the selecting barrier and by an additional float
member 34. Also, the tubular elements 32 are arranged in pairs opposite to each other
and are connected by a connection rod 38 representing end of the collecting area 30.
The floating material present in the collecting area 30 can be retrieved using terrestrial
means or suitable boats comprising metallic containers located on the prow. Thereafter,
the retrieved material can be transferred to suitable container, i.e. big bags of
1 meter cubed, and placed in storage areas for the delivery to authorized operators.
[0036] The system 1 according to the present invention represents a preventive approach
to the problem of plastic present in open sea. In fact, the floating litter is intercepted
before it reaches the open sea, thereby strongly reducing the employment of determined
resources dedicated to the emergency of huge quantity of floating litter in open sea.
[0037] The system 1 is also configured to reduce the maintenance service and can be adaptable
to different types of rivers having different dimensions and quantity of transported
water.
[0038] Specifically, the system 1 is configured to intercept, select, and collect materials
floating in the water of a river so that the collected materials are ready to be transported
to a dedicated recycling or waste disposal plant.
1. System (1) for a selective collection of materials floating in surface water (W),
the system (1) comprising:
an intercepting barrier (10) made up of at least one longitudinal element (12) for
intercepting the materials floating and transported by the water flow (F) and conducting
the intercepted materials to a predetermined direction,
a selecting barrier (20) located downstream of the intercepting barrier (10) and connected
to said intercepting barrier (10), for selecting floating materials based on their
geometry, and
a collecting area (30) located downstream of the selecting barrier (20) and connected
to said selecting barrier (20) for collecting the materials selected by the selecting
barrier (20),
characterized in that
the selecting barrier (20) comprises a first longitudinal level staff (22), a second
longitudinal level staff (24) located downstream the first longitudinal level staff
(22) and two float members (26) connecting the two level staffs (22, 24), wherein
the height of the first level staff (22) relative to the surface water is lower than
that of the second level staff (24) so that floating materials having a predetermined
geometry are intercepted by the first longitudinal staff (22) and are conducted to
the collecting area (30), whereas the remaining floating materials go over the first
longitudinal level staff (22) and pass below the second longitudinal level staff (24)
and are conducted downstream of the collecting area (30).
2. The system (1) of claim 1, further comprising a deflecting barrier (40) located upstream
of the intercepting barrier (10) and made up of at least one longitudinal element
(42) submerged underneath the surface of the water at a predetermined depth from said
surface for selecting floating or submerged materials based on their depth in water
relative to the surface of the water, wherein the intercepting barrier (10) is configured
to intercept the materials selected by the deflecting barrier (40).
3. The system (1) of claim 2, wherein the at least one longitudinal element (42) of the
deflecting barrier (40) has a length comprised between 5 m and 7 m and is ballasted
to remain submerged at a depth comprised between 7 cm and 10 cm from the surface of
the water.
4. The system (1) of any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the deflecting barrier (40) extends
along a longitudinal direction forming an angle α < 90°, preferably 10° < α < 80°,
most preferably α = 45°, with the direction of the water flow (F) .
5. The system (1) of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the deflecting barrier (40) extends
along a longitudinal direction forming an angle 80° < β < 100° with the longitudinal
direction of the intercepting barrier (10).
6. The system (1) of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the deflecting barrier (40) comprises
a floating mechanism (44) for maintaining constant the depth of the deflecting barrier
(40) from the surface of the water.
7. The system (1) of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the at least one longitudinal
element (42) of the deflecting barrier (40) and/or the at least one longitudinal element
(12) of the intercepting barrier (10) is made of polymeric material.
8. The system (1) of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the deflecting barrier (40) is
separated from the intercepting barrier (10) and the distance between the deflecting
barrier (40) and the intercepting barrier (10) is two times the entire length of the
intercepting barrier (10).
9. The system (1) of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the deflecting barrier (40) comprises
a plurality of longitudinal elements (42) connected to each other by means of articulated
joints.
10. The system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the least one longitudinal
element (12) of the intercepting barrier (10) has a length comprised between 5 m and
7 m and has a tubular shape with a diameter comprised between 150 mm and 170 mm.
11. The system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first longitudinal
level staff (22) comprises a conveyor belt (28) driven by a blade system located on
the two float members (26).
12. The system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collecting area (30)
comprises a plurality of tubular elements (32) each having a diameter comprised between
270 mm and 290 mm and a length comprised between 5 m and 7 m.
13. The system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collecting area (30)
is connected to the selecting barrier (20) and the selecting barrier (20) is connected
to the intercepting barrier (10) by means of articulated joints.
14. The system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intercepting barrier
(10) comprises a plurality of longitudinal elements (12) connected to each other by
means of articulated joints.
15. The system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least a sacrificial
joint.